The CommonplaceWestern maxims for the mind and the wall.

Themes

Action

Begin, apply, and do — maxims against hesitation.

Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.
Actiondifficultypossibilityeffort
If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.
Actionpurposedirectionplanning
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Seneca commonly attributed
Actionluckpreparationopportunity
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Actionpurposeidentityduty
One never goes so far as when one doesn't know where one is going.
Actionunknownjourneyboldness
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Goethe commonly attributed
Actionboldnessgeniusbeginning
Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
Actionknowingwillingdoing
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Actionenthusiasmgreatness
We aim above the mark to hit the mark.
Actionaimexcellence
Men are born to succeed, not to fail.
Actionsuccessfailure
There are three sorts of people: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those who move.
Actionmoveimmovableleadership
Well done is better than well said.
Actiondonesaiddeeds
The world is run by the people who show up.
Actionshow-upworld
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
Actionsuccesschangetimes
My point is not that everything is bad, but that everything is dangerous, which is not exactly the same as bad. If everything is dangerous, then we always have something to do.
Actiondangerproblemsactivism